Dieffenbachia named Uleryii

ABSTRACT

A new variety of dieffenbachia plant characterized by the almost solid white color of the major central area of its leaves and the dark green color of the leaf margins, which color appears as though having been brushed roughly into the margins of the white area.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new variety of dieffenbachia plant was discovered by me in February1975 as a sport of the variety "Perfection" (not patented) and becauseof the spectacular appearance of the leaves of this sport, it wasasexually propagated under my direction at Apopka, Fla., by means ofcuttings. Continued propagation of this new plant by means of basesucker divisions, as well as by top cuttings, at Apopka, Fla., hasdemonstrated that its distinctive characteristics hold true fromgeneration to generation and appear to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new variety of dieffenbachia plant is illustrated by theaccompanying photographic drawing which shows, in full color, thedistinctive white and green coloration of the leaves, the upper viewshowing a side-by-side comparison of the new plant with its parent andthe lower view being a close-up comparison of a leaf of the new plantwith a leaf of the parent, the new variety being at the left of the viewin each case. The colors shown are as close to specification as canreasonably be obtained through conventional professional photographicprocedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of my new variety ofdieffenbachia with color specifications according to "A Dictionary ofColor" by Aloys John Maerz, 1885 Fine Arts, the observations having beenmade by me at Apopka, Fla., in the Spring of 1976.

THE PLANT

Origin: Sport.

Parentage: Dieffenbachia "Perfection" (unpatented).

Classification: Araceae.

Form: Compact shrubby bush, with base suckers when mature.

Growth: Very erect, with a strong sturdy stem.

Growth Rate: Comparable to the parent plant.

Foliage: Abundant. The number of leaves varies with age of the plant.

Size of Leaf.--Approximately 4 × 10 inches for mature leaf.

Shape.--Ovate, with entire margin and cuspidate apex.

Petioles.--Approximately 6 inches long.

Texture.--Smooth.

Aspect.--Glossy.

Ribs and Veins.--Pinnately veined with prominent and heavy midrib.

Color.--Upper side -- Glossy, cream to white, Plate 17-2F, over majorportion of central area with a wide dark green, Plate 24-12J, margin andpale green, Plate 20-1A, midrib, the dark green margin streaking intothe solid white central area. Under side -- Dull with less strikinggreen colors.

BUD AND FLOWER

The buds and flowers of this new plant are similar to those of theparent plant and are of no value as a contribution toward the beauty andattractiveness of the new plant. The flowers are in no way distinctiveof this new variety.

This new variety of dieffenbachia plant most nearly resembles the parentvariety, cultivar Dieffenbachia "Perfection" (unpatented), in structionbut differs distinctively in the coloration of the foliage, the parenthaving leaves with an overall mottled white appearance on an overalldark green background while the new variety has leaves with a large,substantially solid white central area surrounded by a dark green marginwhich streaks irregularly, as though brushed, into the outer edges ofthe white central area. The growth habits of the new plant are verysimilar to those of the parent although the growth rate may be slightlyless than that of the parent variety. The distinctive coloring isrevealed, however, in the growth and development of very young leaves.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of dieffenbachia plantsubstantially as herein shown and described, characterized by the broadsubstantially unbroken white central area of its leaves interrupted onlyby its prominent veins and a very light green midrib, the margin of theleaves being of a solid dark green color which flows irregularly inwardof the white central area.